My wife left for a five-day Florida vacation on Saturday which left me flying solo with two-year old twin girls. Daddy Day Care indeed!
Two year olds (they’ll be three in July) are a percular bunch. The change from turning two to a few months away from three has been amazing. Six months ago, this five-day stretch would have been very dreaded. The girls didn’t know how to really communicate exactly what they want…now they won’t shut up! And I say that with all the love I have.
Fortunately for me, the girls can articulate exactly what they want. But, they can also articulate exactly EVERYTHING that comes across their minds. Imagine having running audible Facebook status updates for two two-year olds and you’re halfway to understanding where I’m at.
I’ve always complained about babysitting at work, now I’m not so sure which is more frustrating. The last two days have been a whirlwind of food prepping, diaper changing, house cleaning, tear wiping, argument stopping, question answering, game playing and more question answering. It’s been awesome…and incredibly frustrating!
All this hoopla brings me up to my theory on why men were hunters. Picture this scenario:
Two cave people, let’s call them Fredda and Wilma for shits and giggles, have a little baby – Pebbles. At first, Fred and Wilma are super happy – little Pebbles is the cutest thing and life is grand.
Then little Pebbles learns her first word. And then another one. And another. Eventually little Pebbles is speaking in sentences and every thought that comes across her mind is an audible barrage to Fred and Wilma’s ears – the fact that it’s echoing in the hollowness of the tunnel doesn’t help.
Finally, one day Fred snaps. The incessant babbling and lack of protein has driven him up the wall. They needed a dino bbq and someone has to hunt the dinosaur. Fred pulls his trump card – he’s bigger and stronger than Wilma so he lays it down. “We need a dino and I’m the one who’s going to hunt it! You stay here with the baby!”
Fred walks out and starts hunting dinosaurs. He quickly finds out that there’s other dads out there who are in the same exact boat.
That’s where I’m at…and I’ve still got three more days.
All that being said, I love the time I’m spending with my girls. I really am building a bond with them that I seemed to have lost. Just tonight, M came up to me as I was changing her for bed, gave me a big hug and whispered “I love you Daddy!” in my ear. It made my day!
Life can be funny sometimes. Maybe being forced to stay in the cave is helping make me a better dad and make my relationships with my Pebbles even stronger.
photo credit: San Diego Shooter via photopin cc
Dude, I would encourage you not to call it “babysitting” or “day care” when it’s for your own kids. It’s parenting, and it’s the most amazing opportunity you will ever have to connect with another human being. It’s the opportunity to sow the kinds of values that you want your children to develop. Take it from a guy who walked away from his job to stay at home with his kid: this is the MOST important job that you have, not the one at the office. Your kids NEED to have interactions like that all the time. And don’t forget to tell the people at work how much fun you had! They’ll never admit it, but they’ll be very jealous.
@realmattdaddy – thanks for the comment. I think the extreme sarcasm that this post was written under was missed when you read it. Yes, I’ve had a couple of rough days with the kids, but I don’t really consider it babysitting or day care. Those terms were intended as humorous points of view on the situation…jokes (and apparently I flopped on them). I agree with everything you wrote, couldn’t be more spot on.
I love spending time with them – even when they yell at me and whine for Mommy. It just means I need to spend more time with them.
Anyway, I appreciate your comments and point of view. I give you all the credit in the world for being a SAHD – that’s an incredible job and one that I don’t think all of us are cut out for.
@Dan DeLaiarro This was my first time reading your stuff (from Triberr, so I’ll be reading more). so I guess I’m just not used to your humor yet. There’s time for that yet. Our reading relationship is young. As a final thought, whenever you do feel that primal urge to run out of the cave to hunt dinosaurs because they’re getting on your nerves, fight it! Your daughters will reward you by staying away from the stripper pole.
@Dan DeLaiarro This was my first time reading your stuff (from Triberr, so I’ll be reading more). so I guess I’m just not used to your humor yet. There’s time for that yet. Our reading relationship is young. As a final thought, whenever you do feel that primal urge to run out of the cave to hunt dinosaurs because your daughters are getting on your nerves, fight it! They’ll reward you by staying away from the stripper pole. Keep on daddying!
@realmattdaddy no worries bro. My sarcastic tones are not always evident here – writing like I speak is actually something I’m working on. I write a lot of technical manuals during the day (being an engineer for a defense contractor isn’t as sexy as it sounds) and I think that mode of writing has come over to my regular writing style. Trying to break it. Anyway, I’ll definitely take your advice! The stripper pole is to be avoided at all cost! 🙂
Too Funny! I absolutely got all of your sarcasm! And I totally understand! I have 3 kids of my own, but I also ran a large daycare in my home for about 5 years! Let me tell you, beyond a doubt, little girls have a verbal skill unmatched by boys that can make you feel like you have been hammered at all day long! As much as I LOVE it and love my girl (and two boys) it can be exhausting. I applaud you for taking on the “5 day challenge” and I think more dads should do it! AND more of us moms could use a trip to Florida!
@KariDay – thanks for the comment! I’ve heard that there is a difference like that between boys and girls and I’d have to say that my nephew wasn’t this chatty (he’s about 8mo older than my girls). He’s definitely more destructive though – pick your poison I suppose 😉 As for the Florida trip…well, let’s just say that my goggle tan from Colorado is just fading, so it was well-earned by my wife!
Dan, I agree with the part about being talked to death. As a mom, I would occasionally leave my daughter with her brother who was 8 years older and go mow the grass just to get some quiet time. Great post.
@AnnMullen – thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I am glad to know that I’m not the only one who chooses to do household chores for a little peace and quiet. My wife and I will sometimes argue over who’s going to “get to go” food shopping on the weekend 🙂
Two words: Justin Bieber…get his CDs and/or DVDs and you’re covered, dude!
@BruceSallan – haha! Hysterical! Fortunately, my kids seem to enjoy classic rock when it’s on the radio much better – AC/DC, Seger, Aerosmith…anything but modern pop crap!